Raise abuse awareness, but pass tougher laws, too

The Pennsylvania Bar Association is right to sound the alarm about the ever-present danger of child abuse and encourage those who suspect it to make a report to law enforcement (Oct. 1). But we must do more than simply raise public awareness -- we must pass laws that tighten abuse reporting requirements.

Pennsylvanians were shocked to learn of the concerted cover-ups at Penn State and within the Philadelphia Archdiocese, but the truth is there are co-conspirators in nearly every case of abuse -- those who suspect but choose to look the other way and, in doing so, inadvertently put countless other children at risk.

This is especially true in schools, where in many cases of sexual misconduct abusers are allowed to quietly resign and move to another unsuspecting school district. This is a blatant cover-up that is perpetrator/institution-centered with total disregard for child safety. This practice must be stopped. It's time to end the conspiracy of silence and enact laws that mandate the disclosure of abuse to law enforcement. To that end, Pennsylvania must pass the Stop Educator Sexual Abuse Misconduct Act (Senate Bill 1381) before the legislative session ends.